Pezeshkian: Iran-Russia ties strategic, highly beneficial

President Masoud Pezeshkian says Iran’s relations with Russia are “strategic and highly beneficial.”

The Iranian president was speaking in a meeting with his counterpart Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan on Wednesday.

“I believe that the relationship between Iran and Russia is strategic and highly beneficial for both countries,” he said.

“I also see the BRICS framework, along with the Eurasian Economic Union and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization—of which we are members with Russian support—as a suitable platform for constructive interaction.”

Pezeshkian expressed optimism that economic, political, scientific, cultural, and commercial relations between the two countries would expand further.

The Iranian president hoped the two sides would sign the much-anticipated comprehensive cooperation agreement during his upcoming official visit to Moscow.

Pezeshkian also hoped the BRICS members could further work to effectively counter US unilateralist and hegemonic policies worldwide and reduce the impact of sanctions against Iran and Russia.

‘Position of Russia, Iran closely aligned’

During the meeting, the Russian president hailed the close ties between the two nations. Putin said the relationship is progressing positively with a genuinely friendly and constructive nature.

He said Russian and Iran have always cooperated constructively in regional and international arenas.

Putin expressed hope that the results of consultations between officials from the two sides would soon be formalized with the signing of a comprehensive strategic agreement.

The Russian president placed a premium on strengthening economic cooperation, saying the joint commission for economic cooperation led by the energy ministers of Russia and Iran plays a big role in this regard.

Putin said a priority is to implement major joint projects such as developing Iran's railway infrastructure within the framework of the North-South International Transport Corridor and constructing the second and third phases of the Bushehr power plant.

Russia’s president approves proposal for signing strategic partnership agreement with Iran

Russian President Vladimir Putin approves of a proposal forwarded by the country’s foreign ministry for signing of a strategic partnership agreement with Iran.

The Russian president said economic relations within the region, notably between Russia and Iran, would improve through a free trade agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union signed at the end of 2023.

In another part of his remarks, Putin said Russian and Iran would continue discussions on critical international issues, especially the dramatic developments in West Asia, Syria, and in the Caucasus region.

“In general, I must say that Russia's and Iran's views on global issues are either closely aligned or completely identical; we seek to create a just multipolar global order while we preserve the central role of the United Nations.”

‘Israeli attacks to draw unimaginable response’

The Iranian president also sat down for talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

They discussed ways to halt the wars in Gaza and Lebanon, and prevent the spread of conflicts to other areas.

Pezeshkian criticized the Western double standard and support for the crimes of the Israeli regime.

Pezeshkian said Iran is not seeking war or conflict in any way, but it is ready to give a crushing response to any attack.

“If the Israeli regime commits an error, rest assured that the Islamic Republic of Iran will deliver a painful response. Naturally, the regime may inflict harm on Iran, but the harm it receives in response will be beyond imagination.”

The regime has threatened to attack Iran in retaliation for Operation True Promise II.

President Sisi said in the meeting that the main source of power for Muslims lies in their unity, and that they must work together to help end the wars in Gaza and Lebanon.

“Not as a political figure but primarily as a Muslim, I believe we should advance our affairs through understanding and expanding friendship. For this reason, throughout all the years when our relations have faced challenges, I have never once taken a stance against Iran.”

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